Length Converter
Convert meters, feet, inches, miles, kilometers and more.
About Length Units
The metric system uses the metre (m) as its base unit, defined since 1983 as the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second. The imperial system (feet, inches, miles) remains common in the US and UK for everyday distances. Nautical miles are used in aviation and maritime navigation.
Common Conversions
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm
- 1 foot = 30.48 cm (12 inches)
- 1 yard = 0.9144 m (3 feet)
- 1 mile = 1.609 km (5,280 feet)
- 1 km = 0.6214 miles
- 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km
Quick Tips
- A rough rule:
km ÷ 1.6 ≈ miles - A person 6 ft tall is approximately 183 cm
- A marathon is exactly 42.195 km (26.219 miles)
- Earth's equatorial circumference ≈ 40,075 km